My short list: T4R limited, XC90, Outback.

[PJBrendel]

Well, I think I've eliminated the Volvo. It's a great vehicle but it will not suit my needs as well as the other two, and it is the most expensive of the three. As for the 4Runner, I really enjoyed the feeling of security of that truck. In comparing it to the Outback, it is only four inches taller, four inches wider, and has one inch more ground clearance, but feels much bigger than the Outback even when your just sitting in it. Not to mention the 1300 lb weight difference, which I'd rather have on my side if I got into an accident. And I now realize that I can get more precise steering with some adjustments and eventually some new tires, thanks, thats good to know.
I just have to decide if the 4Runner is going to be worth the extra 9K initially and the extra gas money over the I4 Outback. I will not be doing any deep woods trail stuff, just the beach, so the Outback could probably work, I just can't seem to find the love.
Oh, and one out of every five outbacks is driven by a guy, so it's not just a girl car.

 

[G8RB8_12SR5]

I went through the Outback v. 4Runner as well

I drove both the 2.5 and the 3.6 Outbacks as well as the 4Runner and due to moving from Long Island to a much hillier area (North Cascades and the foothills in WA state) I like the extra power the 4R has for that. I found the 2.5 strained sometime in the mountains.

The other thing I looked at was interior space. You cited the little difference of a few inches for overall width, length, and ground clearance but the true tell tale is the interior. The Outback has 34.3 cu. ft. of space behind the second row and 71.3 cu. ft. with the second row folded flat. The 4Runner on the other hand has 47.2 cu. ft behind the second row (sans sliding deck which I don't have) and 88.8 with the second row folded down. That extra 17.5 cu. ft. (think mid size fridge) makes a significant difference in the feeling of overall roominess as well as what you can put in it. We have two German Shorthaired Pointers and their two large crates fit side by side with the second row up so we can have the wife and I, 2 guests, and the two dogs to go on outings (we take them almost everywhere with us). So it works great for what we do.

If you don't think you need that much space and aren't regularly going to the Catskills, Berkshires, or Poconos the 2.5 Outback would probably be worth the mileage gain and space loss. If you bike or do things requiring a roof rack, the lower roof of the Outback also has added benefits there. That's the practical side of me.

I also think the Outback rides more like a car and the 4R is, well, a body-on-frame SUV so it rides much more like a truck though I don't really notice the bumps to much in it yet. I picked mine up about 6 months ago and have about 11k miles on it, still stock for now. Hope that helped.

 

[DannyLlama]

Coming from an 08 Cayenne S (which is a body-on-frame) SUV, I have to definitely throw a recommendation in there for it. My 08 with 72K+ miles on it rode like a unibody, towed like a workhorse, and went off road with ease. .

Really? Cayenne off road?

 

[Quentin]

The Cayenne is definitely not BOF.

 

[philsey]

PJ, based on your first post, this was your "only" or at least most immediate concern/observation..."The T4R felt like it required more small inputs to keep it going straight as compared to the XC90". To that end, you were spot on.

The reason IMHO is two fold. Crappy OEM tires but more importantly, the factory Caster setting. I am VERY confident that if you drove an SR5 with a Castor setting closer to positive 4.0 (which is still within specs) vs. what seems to come out of the factory, which is closer to 2.5 (again, within OEM spec's), you would find a much different driving experience. Much closer to the XC90 or any other vehicle that you are used to driving.

In addition, due to the size and weight of the 4runner and IMHO the under size/rated OEM "P" sized tires....there is a lot more steering, body roll and even nose dive issues which are greatly reduced or depending on personal opinion, eliminated, just by getting better "stronger" tires. I would go with "C" rated LT tires. (6 ply). I have D rated (8) ply, only because they were on sale. (I no longer have body roll or nose dive issues, just with the new tires and steering is a dream after changing the caster settings).

Also, most of the members here have achieved many of the same results regarding body roll and nose dive by changing to a more stiffer suspension. It really depends on your usage intent. By the sounds of it, street driving and sand. Sounds like changing the alignment and tires will be your best bet. If however, you decide to go on more heavy trails, rocks, etc. etc.
Or going to start towing a camper etc. You might want to consider both..and maybe even stiffer tires.

Be Safe.

^^ This is spot on. I don't concur necessarily with a NEED for the C/D-rated tires, but that strictly depends on your own requirements. I have premium Continental LX20 P-rated tires in oem size, running at 34#, plus the caster setting and the truck is fixed.

Were I to buy a new 4R, I'd require the purchase to include the caster setting and premium tires.

EDIT: You've got wildly diverse vehicles on your shopping list, two of which are basically cars, and one truck. If the 4R becomes your final choice, test drive test drive test drive .... you really are comparing apples to oranges.

 

[StuB]

PJ - DON'T BUY THE VOLVO!

My wife has an XC70. Her fifth VOLVO wagon over the years. And our last. Biggest P.O.S. we've ever owned. It started going badly for Volvo under Ford, but now with the Chinese owning the firm, it's even worse. Three transmissions and they keep lasting less miles each time in addition to many, many other failed components. Of course it started immediately after the warranty expired and since we paid cash and usually wear our vehicles out, we've just been living in the damn service department.

 

[Dilong26]

Really? Cayenne off road?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/McHViMSzQdI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

i love top gear

 

[jsun_2k]

The Cayenne is definitely not BOF.

I doubt it too

 

[PJBrendel]

I thank all of you for your input and advice. It all helped to finalize my decision! I will be purchasing a 4Runner in mid to late September. I'm looking to get the Limited Edition in either White or Blue with the beige interior. Can"t Wait!

 

[Antman]

Congrats! Go with the Blue if you can find one. Beautiful color.

 

[philsey]

I thank all of you for your input and advice. It all helped to finalize my decision! I will be purchasing a 4Runner in mid to late September. I'm looking to get the Limited Edition in either White or Blue with the beige interior. Can"t Wait!

All right! Welcome to the fold.

SB is a nice color. I will say that of all the cars I've owned (lots and lots) I've never had a color so easy to care for as BP. It has to be really dirty before it shows. And at night, when it's really clean, it's just beautiful.

 

[Bay33saw]

Congrats! Go with the Blue if you can find one. Beautiful color.

I second the Shoreline Blue, I love it's color. I have the black interior and I much prefer it over the beige, I was initially looking for the tan interior myself living in Las Vegas leather ets very hot but after buying my wifes Lexus that has the beige interior and although the car is only 10 months old it needs constant cleaning and show dirt like a SOAB...Just something to think about.
You won't be dissapointed with the Limited (apart from the stock tires which I will replace when they need it for the Continentals) You will love it.
Congrats and post pictures when you get your new ride.

 

[c0mmon]

If you are in long island, with all the traffic, people that will ding your car, potholes, just general abuse, you need the 4runner

volvo parts are expensive, probably hard to work on. They tend to achieve high miles, but they also have a high cost of getting there

I think in some random suburb in West Chester you would be fine either way, but if you are where there is the highest concentration of those rubber bumper protectors in the world you are better off with something made to take abuse

 

[Jono.ful]

If you are in long island, with all the traffic, people that will ding your car, potholes, just general abuse, you need the 4runner

volvo parts are expensive, probably hard to work on. They tend to achieve high miles, but they also have a high cost of getting there

I think in some random suburb in West Chester you would be fine either way, but if you are where there is the highest concentration of those rubber bumper protectors in the world you are better off with something made to take abuse

this is a 3 year old thread. Safe to assume he's long since made his choice already....